Where do I join the train?

Join at Birmingham Snow Hill; the advertised departure is 09:30 with a return around 12:55 and final times confirmed 48 hours before travel.

Are refreshments included?

First Class brunch and tea/coffee are included and served to your seat; Standard tickets have access to the on-train buffet for light refreshments.

Children under 16 must be accompanied by a fare-paying adult; children aged 3 and under may travel free in Standard if not occupying a seat; children under 5 are not permitted in First Class.

Is the Flying Scotsman guaranteed?

The operator makes best efforts to run the advertised locomotive but reserves the right to substitute or assist with diesel traction if necessary.

Are there accessibility facilities onboard?

Wheelchair facilities are limited and not all coaches have accessible toilets; contact the booking office to confirm availability and arrangements.

What is the cancellation policy?

Customers can transfer to a postponed date, receive a full refund or credit note if the operator cancels; consider travel insurance for personal contingencies.

Valentines Shakespeare Express Brunch — Steam Train Brunch Behind the Flying Scotsman from Birmingham | Train | Sightseeing Tour

Board the Valentines Shakespeare Express — Brunch for a three-hour morning escape through the Warwickshire countryside that starts and finishes at Birmingham Snow Hill. This mainline steam service is hauled by the legendary Flying Scotsman and pairs heritage machinery with original 1960s carriages, offering an old-fashioned voyage that’s both romantic and rare. From the platform, the sight and sound of the Flying Scotsman define the journey: a black, boiler-driven presence, chimney smoke, and the rhythmic clack of rods and wheels. As the train sweeps out of Birmingham, the city gives way to open fields, hedgerows, canals and the low stone architecture of rural England. Look for river meanders, patchwork arable land and stand-out hedgerow oaks that frame brief views across Warwickshire; the landscape feels like a living postcard best absorbed from a reserved window seat. Choices range from Standard seats in a restored British Railways Mk2 carriage to First Class tables in an original 1960s First Class carriage, where brunch is served at your seat and tea and coffee flow throughout. Prices are listed per booking and include a 6% booking fee: First Class Table for 2 £286.20, First Class Seat £132.50; Standard Class Seat £83.74. The advertised itinerary departs Birmingham Snow Hill at 09:30 and returns around 12:55, with final timings confirmed 48 hours before departure. Passengers are advised to arrive at least 20 minutes before the confirmed departure time. This experience stands out in the regional outdoor and heritage scene because it runs on the mainline with an iconic locomotive, not a short heritage loop. That scale means changing scenery, mainline speed and the chance to see period coaching stock running where modern services operate. It’s an excellent pick for Valentine’s Day couples looking for a memorable, low-hike excursion, as well as rail enthusiasts chasing operational steam on Britain’s national network. Accessibility notes: limited wheelchair facilities and no disability-friendly toilets on some coaches; children under five are not permitted in First Class. The operator may substitute locomotives or alter services in exceptional circumstances, including diesel assistance. Bring an appetite, a camera for detail shots of the locomotive, and respectful attention to staff instructions; book early—mainline steam tours are limited. Whether you’re there for the romance, the brunch, or the rare chance to ride the Flying Scotsman on the mainline, this short trip condenses nostalgia, mechanical spectacle and pastoral English scenery into a tidy, unforgettable morning. Dietary requests should be noted at booking if dining onboard; assistance and support dogs are welcome but must be declared. Children under 16 must travel with a fare-paying adult. Expect aromatic tea and the smell of coal or steam—sensory details that make this morning ride feel like stepping back into Britain’s rail heritage.

About Vintage Trains

Vintage Trains is a Birmingham-based heritage rail operator that runs a programme of steam- and diesel-hauled excursions, dining trips and depot tours across the UK. Founded and based at Tyseley Depot, the company preserves historic locomotives and carriages while operating scheduled special trains such as THE POLAR EXPRESS™, The Shakespeare Express and long-distance explorers to destinations including Manchester, Newcastle and North Wales.

Operating from Tyseley Depot in Birmingham, Vintage Trains offers curated day trips, festive events and themed dining experiences designed for families, rail enthusiasts and leisure travellers. Signature journeys include the festive THE POLAR EXPRESS™ family experience, seasonal Christmas market excursions, full dining services such as three-course Sunday lunches and thematic entertainment like Murder on The Shakespeare Express and Mad Hatter’s Tea Parties.

Tyseley Depot tours provide behind-the-scenes access to a 1908 Great Western Railway locomotive depot, including the roundhouse, turntable and working locomotives with guided interpretation. Vintage Trains combines heritage conservation with public operations, maintaining restored rolling stock to operate authentic rail experiences.

Tickets, seating classes and catering options vary by trip; Tourist seats and Pullman dining are available on selected services. The operator runs both steam-hauled specials and diesel-hauled explorers and highlights regional routes such as the Welsh Highland Railway segment on the Welsh Highland Explorer. Vintage Trains focuses on delivering historically informed, family-friendly excursions and accessible depot tours from its Birmingham base.

Booking, safety and accessibility information are published for each trip, and advance reservations are recommended for popular seasonal services and dining experiences during peak travel periods.